This three part series walks through the rise, fall, and redemption of Michael Vick, NFL’s outcast turned prodigal son. If you missed it, catch parts one and two here. As Vick was made his comeback professionally he maintained his commitment to speak out against dog fighting. He traveled around the country speaking to youth and… Continue reading The Michael Vick Experience: From Prison to Redemption, 2007-2017 (pt. 3)
Tag: Joshua K. Wright
The Michael Vick Experience: From Prison to Redemption, 2007-2017 (pt. 2)
This three part series walks through the rise, fall, and redemption of Michael Vick, NFL’s outcast turned prodigal son. Catch parts one and three here. Michael Vick’s first television interview after being released from prison in 2009 came on CBS’s 60 Minutes. African-American sportscaster James Brown conducted the interview in Virginia because Vick was not… Continue reading The Michael Vick Experience: From Prison to Redemption, 2007-2017 (pt. 2)
The Michael Vick Experience: From Prison to Redemption, 2007-2017 (pt.1)
This three part series walks through the rise, fall, and redemption of Michael Vick, NFL’s outcast turned prodigal son. Read parts two and three here. “Still touched down cause I was off Artell. Had dreams of breaking Mike Vick out of jail. Took the underground rail to the end that failed.” – Common featuring Pharrell… Continue reading The Michael Vick Experience: From Prison to Redemption, 2007-2017 (pt.1)
King and Prince of Abyssinian: Reflections on Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. and Jr.
“For we know that we are the children of God. He’ll fight my battles and I’ll be free someday. Stand together children, fight together children, worship together children. Don’t you get weary.” —Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. April 4th is a renowned date in Black America. Most blacks recognize it as the day civil rights icon… Continue reading King and Prince of Abyssinian: Reflections on Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. and Jr.
Endnotes to Jay-Z’s 4:44 : Mental Health Awareness
“It’s like my therapy, making music……When language has reached its limit, disease sets in.” – Jay-Z On June 30, 2017, Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) released his 13th studio album 4:44, arguably the most personal and socially conscious album of his career. Subscribers to his online streaming service, Tidal, are privy to music videos for the songs… Continue reading Endnotes to Jay-Z’s 4:44 : Mental Health Awareness
Endnotes to Jay-Z’s “Moonlight”
“We stuck in La La Land. Even when we win, we gon’ lose.” – Jay-Z On June 30, 2017, Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) released his 13th studio album 4:44, arguably the most personal and socially conscious album of his career. Subscribers to his online streaming service, Tidal, are privy to music videos for the songs on… Continue reading Endnotes to Jay-Z’s “Moonlight”
Endnotes to “The Story of O.J.”
“Light nigga, dark nigga, faux nigga, real nigga. Rich nigga, poor nigga, house nigga, field nigga. Still nigga, Still nigga.” -Jay-Z On June 30, 2017, Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) released his 13th studio album 4:44, arguably the most personal and socially conscious album of his career. Subscribers to his online streaming service, Tidal, are privy to… Continue reading Endnotes to “The Story of O.J.”
Fresh Dressed: Fashion and Black Masculinity in Pro Sports
“For me to sit here and tell you I wasn’t the best-dressed, I would be lying to you.” -Jamal Adams, 2017 NFL Draft Where can you find Christian Louboutins, pink blazers, and lots of floral prints? If you said the Kentucky Derby or an Alpha Kappa Alpha soiree you would be wrong. No, this was… Continue reading Fresh Dressed: Fashion and Black Masculinity in Pro Sports
Hollywood & Hidden Racism in America, 1967-2017
“I would have voted for Obama a third time if I could.” -Dean Armitage In the closing moments of the 2017 film Get Out, the protagonist Chris Washington chokes the life out of his girlfriend Rose Armitage. Chris is a 26-year-old dark skinned black man and Rose is an upper class white woman. Watching Chris… Continue reading Hollywood & Hidden Racism in America, 1967-2017
Reflections on Black Image in Amos ‘n’ Andy
During childhood my favorite television shows were cartoons, The Cosby Show, and the black-and-white classic series I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, and The Three Stooges, which I watched with my dad. One summer he introduced me to a series called Amos ‘n’ Andy. Unlike the other “classic” shows, Amos ‘n’ Andy reruns did… Continue reading Reflections on Black Image in Amos ‘n’ Andy